And don’t just take Napier’s word for it – many of last year’s exhibitors have been singing the praises of Gulfood. Chilean Promotion Bureau ProChile, which assists small- and medium-size companies in trade expansion, says that exports as a result of the show rocketed – dried fruit exports went from US $3 million to US $15 million.

Trade commissioner Carlos Salas says: “The results were fantastic. We are coming with 17 companies this year – our biggest attendance ever”.

Heidi Chef Solutions, which provides bakery solutions, reiterate Salas’ claims of phenomenal success at last year’s show. “In the UAE alone Heidi gained leads for 30 new customers and built stronger relationships with its existing customer base,” general manager Brian Ballinger says.

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“This led us to grow our ingredients business by around 10%.” The company will be back at Gulfood this year with a live bakery to showcase their products.

A platinum sponsor of this year’s show, Unilever, explains how its increased involvement is a result of how beneficial 2011’s show was. Eelco Camminga, vice president for South Africa, Middle East and Pakistan, says: “Gulfood offers a huge opportunity to demonstrate our unique products and solutions, selling capabilities, and services to a wider audience on a common platform.

We aim to expand our international horizons. Our aim is not just to be there but actively network and attract business to our stand.”

Camminga will also be a keynote speaker at Gulfood, giving a presentation that will shed light on leading brands, and sharing the secrets of their success.

This year the conferences will be more wide-ranging than ever, says Napier: “The expansion of the Gulfood conferences is in line with global trends and covers the hottest topics on the industry agenda: foodpreneurship, franchising and leadership within the industry, from a brand level through to management. We have a line-up of some of the most dynamic principals and captains of the food and beverage industry participating.”

He says that one of the big trends he has seen already is how much international interest there is – companies from around the world bringing in their products and expertise. “This year we are highlighting the truly international flavour of Gulfood, as a business platform for companies around the world. This show is a transactional show without equal, with more business signed and sealed as a direct result of Gulfood than any other show internationally.”

Napier is not wrong — research from last year’s show revealed staggering numbers of global buyers making key decisions at the event. Napier says that, “more than 74% of buyers make purchasing decisions at Gulfood, while the show itself conducts 50% more transactions than at any other similar event”.

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